CATCHING Synonyms: 407 Similar and Opposite Words

catching 1 of 2

adjective

ˈka-chiŋ

Definition of catching

as in infectious

capable of being passed by physical contact from one person to another a cold is often catching before the symptoms even begin

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in spreading

exciting a similar feeling or reaction in others a catching smile that instantly puts patients at ease

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catching

2 of 2

verb

present participle of catch

as in grabbing

to take physical control or possession of (something) suddenly or forcibly we tried to catch the kitten before she could sneak out the door

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as in getting

to become affected with (a disease or disorder) you'll catch the flu for sure if you don't get a shot

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as in stopping

to bring (something) to a standstill I caught myself just as I was about to step into the freshly poured concrete

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as in securing

to put securely in place or in a desired position caught back her hair with a barrette

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as in knowing

to have a clear idea of I didn't catch the point you were making about our nation's foreign policy

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as in tricking

to cause to believe what is untrue a number of media outlets were caught by the woman's hard-luck story

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as in encountering

to come upon face-to-face or as if face-to-face I'll catch you at the library tomorrow

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as in noticing

to make note of (something) through the use of one's eyes I looked out the window just in time to catch the neighbor's dog digging up my flower bed

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as in chasing

to move fast enough to get even with despite the suspect's considerable lead, the fleet-footed police officer was able to catch him and make an arrest

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

falling short

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of catching

Adjective

The Braves gained four years and millions of dollars by substituting Olson for Freeman at first base – even though one of those traded was slugging catching prospect Shea Langeliers. — Dan Schlossberg, Forbes.com, 15 Apr. 2026 The designs are eye catching and beautiful, inspired by South Florida's beaches and ocean water. — Najahe Sherman, CBS News, 14 Apr. 2026

Verb

In his prime, Waller was one of the league’s premier pass-catching tight ends, with back-to-back 1,100-yard receiving seasons in 2019 and ’20. — Joseph Person, New York Times, 13 Aug. 2026 The technology is also catching people double-parked, and the PPA is mailing people tickets. — Liz Crawford, CBS News, 13 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for catching

Recent Examples of Synonyms for catching

Adjective

In interviews with positive cases, public health workers try to identify others who may have been exposed and come into contact with an infectious person.

— Sarah Volpenhein, jsonline.com, 14 Aug. 2026
The dancers brought an infectious energy to every corner of the stage through versatile choreography.

— Maya Santiago, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of infectious

Verb

The trio of founders allegedly told investors that the brand would feature an app as its centerpiece and be boosted by major advertising deals and attention-grabbing celebrity photo shoots and cover stories.

— Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 14 Aug. 2026
One of the most attention-grabbing stars in the sky still keeps its secrets close—and that is one of the main reasons astronomers have so much fun studying it.

— Phil Plait, Scientific American, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of grabbing

Verb

In a desperate attempt to avoid getting their fingers caught in the cookie jar, there is a pell-mell sprint toward finding a watermark removal app that can yank out the digital watermarks.

— Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 16 Aug. 2026
The administration has almost always characterized Iran never getting a nuclear weapon as the overriding concern.

— Charlotte Reck, CNN Money, 16 Aug. 2026

Definition of getting

Verb

Campione said her campaign was focused on protecting rural lands from being annexed into cities for rural subdivisions and stopping activities that could ruin water quality or override property rights.

— James Wilkins, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 Aug. 2026
Head south towards the River Douro, stopping to see sights such as the famed azulejo tiles in São Bento station and the cathedral along the way.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of stopping

Verb

The race was called shortly after polls closed as Lamont led with nearly 67% of the votes and Elliott trailed, securing only 33%.

— Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 12 Aug. 2026
In the election that July, the Labour Party dominated, securing a third of the vote and 411 seats.

— Nick Tabor, Encyclopedia Britannica, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of securing

Verb

Mistruths, false claims, scams, and other deceptive efforts are tricking people into thinking that a watermark removal app will do wonders, whereas the reality is that the results are at best half-mixed or aimed to cause damage.

— Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 16 Aug. 2026
ClickFix works by tricking you into performing an action on your computer that stealthily downloads and installs malware.

— Alan Henry, PC Magazine, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of tricking

Verb

Thus far, this is not a problem the city reports encountering.

— Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 14 Aug. 2026
According to the company, Skyring walked 75 miles over seven days through the Namib Desert to the Skeleton Coast in July 2000, encountering several oryx gazelles along the way.

— Connie Etemadi, USA Today, 14 Aug. 2026